DIY Benchtop Power Supply (ATX) : List of Needed Components

In previous articles we introduced to practical work on how we can use DIY benchtop power supply, we talked about various types switches and various types of fuses used in electrical and electronics. Our target is to help the newbie who are not used with electrical, electronics, have less budget but want to learn electronics works. I talked about what is -5V like negative voltage. Those previous articles will help to understand the terminologies.  Here is a list of needed components to build DIY benchtop power supply based on computer PSU like ATX to give uniform, regulated DC output.

List of Needed Components To Built DIY Benchtop Power Supply

Obviously you need a computer PSU which is healthy and nicely working. Second thing you will need is a cabinet. Third part is fuses, switches. Forth part is connectors to provide a way to connect with breadboard or thing you want to supply power. This is a basic need. Other things are really optional you can slowly build later.

As for cabinet, I will suggest to use full aluminium compact computer case/cabinet. You will only add a custom front and back panel. Computer cases/cabinets are stable, there are racks and it is designed for well air circulation. As you are not finalising the project, you can temporarily use thin wood or even cardboard as front panels. There are metal work services in your area for laser cutting. You can create custom front panel and also print custom labels – that is how the small industries runs. If you do not want to use computer case/cabinet, then you will need to find metal amplifier cabinet or voltage stabilizer cabinet. Those are sold for small, medium industries and you have to buy from real world. Over internet services are for minimum 100 orders. Per unit cost will be hardly $5 – $10. For compact computer case/cabinet, I will suggest to use good quality wood for final work. Of course if you can find an out of order used metal DC power supply bench, that will be just great.

So, as for basic need, we need minimum, from the previous guides we know the correct names :

1. One computer PSU
2. Wires
3. Switches – toggle switches
4. Fuses – cartridge fuse with panel mount
5. A cabinet
6. Binding posts as connectors
7. Some cable ties to keep the work clean – thread or adhesive tape does the same job.

The total cost is not less.

Needed Components To Built Advanced DIY Benchtop Power Supply

Advanced DIY Benchtop Power Supply will need an AC voltage stabilizer inside it to regulate the input voltage otherwise it follows KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid.

In that case you need to open the PSU (read computer power supply) unit, use the input plug to supply power to voltage stabilizer and from voltage stabilizer to the PSU. Now, if you add circuit like cheap China breadboard power supply – the input will get more rectified to give a stable voltage. I have not noticed the need with good PSU.

There are cheap China Motor Speed Control Switch available to get variable voltage. They are sold as “DC 1.8V 3V 5V 6V 12V Motor Speed Controller PWM Adjustable Switch Regulator”.

For display of voltage, amperage we already talked about cheap China LED voltmeters.

There are beautiful LED indicators available by virtue of China. They are called LED Panel Indicators.

Binding posts can cost $10 to $100. You possibly need to read about them :

Anyone on this earth can assemble them.

If you want more, you can add a cheap China Oscilloscope Kit.

You’ll need some crimp-on ring connectors, soldering iron to solder, may be a some kind of prototyping board, wires, multimeter etc.

Total thing will become non-programmable. To make it programmable, you’ll need China Programmable Motor Speed Control Switch. Do not use LCD screen for voltage – costly Benchtop Power Supply has different circuit mechanism to set and show real readings.

70% things are cheap China stuffs. Then why not buy a cheap China Benchtop Power Supply? Because they are not serviceable and has worser components inside. You are sure that voltage stabilizer and PSU are working and good.